Overview

Standard therapies can relieve symptoms in some patients and provide partial improvement
in others. However, some patients may have more refractory disease whereby significant
symptoms persist despite treatment. Thus, knowledge of emerging therapies can be helpful to
patient outcomes. Treating rheumatoid arthritis, whether by standard therapy or emerging
treatments, can be beneficial to both healthcare professionals and their patients. Because
rheumatoid arthritis is a potentially debilitating illness that affects work, interpersonal
relationships, and overall quality of life, healthcare professionals should be familiar with
the common symptoms and diagnostic modalities in order to treat individuals with this
disease.

Audience

This course is designed for physicians, nurses, and allied healthcare professionals involved in the diagnosis, treatment, or care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Accreditations & Approvals

NetCE is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
NetCE is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. NetCE is approved by the California Nursing Home Administrator Program as a provider of continuing education. Provider number 1622. NetCE is approved to offer continuing education through the Florida Board of Nursing Home Administrators, Provider #50-2405. NetCE is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). NetCE complies with the ANSI/IACET Standard, which is recognized internationally as a standard of excellence in instructional practices. As a result of this accreditation, NetCE is authorized to issue the IACET CEU.
This program has been pre-approved by The Commission for Case Manager Certification to provide continuing education credit to CCM® board certified case managers. The course is approved for 5 CE contact hour(s). Activity code: H00021261. Approval Number: 160001854. To claim these CEs, log into your CE Center account at www.ccmcertification.org.

Designations of Credit

NetCE designates this enduring material for a maximum of 5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. NetCE designates this continuing education activity for 5 ANCC contact hour(s). NetCE designates this continuing education activity for 1 pharmacotherapeutic/pharmacology contact hour(s). NetCE designates this continuing education activity for 6 hours for Alabama nurses.
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 5 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit. Completion of this course constitutes permission to share the completion data with ACCME.
This home study course is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing Home Administrators for 5 credit hour(s). This course is approved by the California Nursing Home Administrator Program for 5 hour(s) of continuing education credit - NHAP#1622005-4778/P. California NHAs may only obtain a maximum of 10 hours per course. AACN Synergy CERP Category A. NetCE is authorized by IACET to offer 0.5 CEU(s) for this program.

Special Approvals

This activity is designed to comply with the requirements of California Assembly Bill 1195, Cultural and Linguistic Competency.

Course Objective

Rheumatoid arthritis ranks among the chronic diseases with the greatest effect on health-related quality of life and the most substantial socioeconomic impact, and the intermittent nature of the disease can make diagnosis and treatment difficult. The purpose of this course is to educate healthcare professionals about the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in order to ensure early diagnosis and improvement in patients' quality of life.

Learning Objectives

Identify the associated signs and symptoms of RA, including laboratory findings and implications for differential diagnosis.

State the current recommendations for classification of RA according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) guidelines.

List the benefits and risks associated with pharmacologic RA treatments.

Describe the role of surgery and physiotherapy in the treatment for RA.

Analyze the role of complementary/alternative therapies in the management of RA.

Recognize extra-articular manifestations of RA.

Outline the management strategies for patients with RA, including non-English proficient patients.

Faculty

John J. Whyte, MD, MPH, is currently the Director of Professional Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement at the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Previously, Dr. Whyte served as the Chief Medical Expert and Vice President, Health and Medical Education at Discovery Channel, part of the media conglomerate Discovery Communications. In this role, Dr. Whyte developed, designed, and delivered educational programming that appeals to both a medical and lay audience.

Prior to this, Dr. Whyte was in the Immediate Office of the Director at the Agency for Healthcare Research Quality. He served as Medical Advisor/Director of the Council on Private Sector Initiatives to Improve the Safety, Security, and Quality of Healthcare. Prior to this assignment, Dr. Whyte was the Acting Director, Division of Medical Items and Devices in the Coverage and Analysis Group in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS is the federal agency responsible for administering the Medicare and Medicaid programs. In his role at CMS, Dr.Whyte made recommendations as to whether or not the Medicare program should pay for certain procedures, equipment, or services. His division was responsible for durable medical equipment, orthotics/prosthetics, drugs/biologics/therapeutics, medical items, laboratory tests, and non-implantable devices. As Division Director as well as Medical Officer/Senior Advisor, Dr. Whyte was responsible for more national coverage decisions than any other CMS staff.

Dr. Whyte is a board-certified internist. He completed an internal medicine residency at Duke University Medical Center as well as earned a Master’s of Public Health (MPH) in Health Policy and Management at Harvard University School of Public Health. Prior to arriving in Washington, Dr. Whyte was a health services research fellow at Stanford and attending physician in the Department of Medicine. He has written extensively in the medical and lay press on health policy issues.

Lloyd Zimmerman, MD, MPH, received his MD from Ross University School of Medicine and his MPH from New York Medical College. He has written extensively on a variety of critical healthcare topics, such as cardiovascular medicine, gastroenterology, neurology, urology and obstetrics/gynecology. Currently, Dr. Zimmerman is an active member of Science Writers in New York (SWINY), the American Medical Writer Association (AMWA), and the American College of Health Care Executives (ACHE).

Faculty Disclosure

Contributing faculty, John J. Whyte, MD, MPH,
has disclosed no relevant financial relationship with any product manufacturer or service provider mentioned.

Contributing faculty, Lloyd Zimmerman, MD, MPH,
has disclosed no relevant financial relationship with any product manufacturer or service provider mentioned.

Division Planners

John V. Jurica, MD, MPH

Jane C. Norman, RN, MSN, CNE, PhD

Division Planners Disclosure

The division planners have disclosed no relevant financial relationship with any product manufacturer or service provider mentioned.

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The purpose of NetCE is to provide challenging curricula to assist
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#94931: Rheumatoid Arthritis

Review your Transcript to view and print your Certificate of Completion.
Your date of completion will be the date (Pacific Time) the course was electronically
submitted for credit, with no exceptions. Partial credit is not available.

INTRODUCTION

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It can also affect other organs such as the eyes, heart, and lungs. RA can occur at any age, but onset before the age of 35 years in men is uncommon [1]. Even less frequently, RA can develop in childhood. Juvenile RA is characterized by an onset before 16 years of age and is among the most significant chronic diseases of childhood. People who develop RA at younger ages more often develop a severe form of the disease. However, for the purpose of this course, the main focus will be on RA that develops in adulthood.

EPIDEMIOLOGY AND COSTS

An estimated 1.5 million American adults are affected by RA
[1]. The yearly incidence of RA is
approximately 53 per 100,000 for women and about half that (27.7 per 100,000) for men [1]. These figures vary significantly based on the
age of the cohort. The data show that the incidence of RA increases steadily with age in both
sexes, until approximately 65 to 74 years of age, when incidence peaks [1]. However, women in all age groups have a much
higher incidence compared to men.

In most cases, updated statistics and costs related to RA are included as part of the larger category of related arthritic or rheumatic conditions. There were 21.8 million office visits for primary rheumatic conditions in 2010, totaling nearly 2.2% of all ambulatory care visits that year (2.4% for women, 1.9% for men) [2]. An older report estimated 2.9 million annual ambulatory care visits in the United States attributable to RA alone [3]. An estimated 23% (52.5 million) of adults in the United States reported having doctor-diagnosed arthritis between 2010 and 2012, and 50% of adults 65 years of age or older reported an arthritis diagnosis (i.e., some form of arthritis, RA, gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia) [4]. By 2030, an estimated 67 million Americans 18 years of age or older are projected to have diagnosed arthritis [4].

Overall, RA and related arthritic diseases have a significant
impact in the United States, causing disability and premature mortality. Although many people
with RA work full-time, about 10% of those with RA become severely disabled and unable to do
simple daily living tasks. Many report significant limitations in vital activities such as
walking, stooping/bending/kneeling, climbing stairs, and social activities [5]. RA can shorten a patient's life expectancy by
an average of 3 to 7 years. However, individuals with severe forms of RA may die 10 to 15
years earlier than expected [5]. It has been
found that people with RA are 2.3 times as likely to die as other people of the same age [4].

There are significant costs associated with RA, and these arthritic-related disease costs continue to increase. In 2003 (the most recently available data), the total cost attributed to arthritis and other rheumatic conditions in the United States was $128 billion, up from $86.2 billion in 1997 [3,6]. Medical expenditures (direct costs) for arthritis and other rheumatic conditions in 2003 were $80.8 billion, up from $51.1 billion in 1997 [6]. Earnings losses (indirect costs) for arthritis and other rheumatic conditions in 2003 were $47 billion, up from $35.1 billion in 1997 [6]. Individuals with RA are far more likely to change occupation, reduce work hours, lose their job, retire early, and be unable to find a job compared to people without arthritis [4].

Research shows that the risk of developing RA is nearly double
for current smokers compared with nonsmokers [10]. RA is strongly associated with major depression (attributable risk of
18.1%), probably through its role in creating functional limitation [7]. As discussed, most mortality studies in
patients with RA have found increased mortality rates as compared with the general population,
with studies showing one-third to one-half of the premature deaths in patients with RA are due
to cardiovascular conditions such as ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular accidents
[5,8]. It is unclear whether cardiovascular disease results from RA or if it
precedes the onset [4].

ETIOLOGY

As noted, RA is defined as a chronic inflammatory disease
characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of synovial tissue and a wide array of multisystem
comorbidities [12]. In its most common
presentation, RA affects the joints, causing inflammation of the synovium and cartilage and
bone loss (Figure 1). The precise etiology of RA is
presently unknown. Most likely it has an autoimmune origin (whereby an individual's immune
system confuses healthy synovial tissue for foreign substances, thereby attacking the synovial
joint surfaces) given that autoantibodies (e.g., rheumatoid factor, anti-citrullinated protein
antibody [ACPA]) are present and often precede the clinical manifestation of RA by many years
[9; 10; 18].

The course and severity of the illness can vary considerably,
and infection, genetic factors, and hormones may contribute to the disease. RA appears to
require the complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors with the immune system
and ultimately in the synovial tissues throughout the body. Triggers for RA have long been the
target of active research. Purported triggers have included bacteria (Mycobacteria, Streptococcus, Mycoplasma, Escherichia coli, Helicobacter pylori),
viruses (rubella, Epstein-Barr virus, parvovirus), and superantigens [10,11].

Although RA has a clear genetic component, only about 1 in 25
white individuals with the so-called shared epitope develop RA [11]. Even if one monozygotic twin has RA, there
is only approximately a 1 in 6 chance that the other twin will develop the same disease. Thus,
other factors in addition to genetics are active as precipitators or triggers of RA [11].

SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, AND DIAGNOSIS

PRESENTING SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

The history and physical examination are the most sensitive
and specific tools for RA diagnosis. Findings on general physical examination are normal
except for an occasional low-grade fever (38°C) and a slightly elevated pulse rate. The
characteristic patient with RA initially presents with complaints of pain and stiffness in
multiple joints. There is prominent and prolonged morning stiffness (lasting more than 1
hour) that usually begins gradually with fatigue, loss of appetite, widespread muscle aches,
and weakness [5,10,11].

The National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions recommends
referring for specialist opinion any person with suspected persistent synovitis of
undetermined cause. Refer urgently if any of the following apply:

After this initial presentation, joint pain appears. When the joint is not used for some
time, it can become warm, tender, and stiff. After inflammation of the joint, increased
synovial fluid is produced and the joint becomes swollen. There is accompanying soft tissue
swelling, and joint pain is often felt bilaterally, affecting the fingers, wrists, elbows,
shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, toes, and neck [10]. Though the joints are tender, the small joints of the hands and feet
are not usually painful when the patient is at rest. Palmar erythema and prominent veins on
the dorsum of the hand and wrist indicate increased blood flow. Distal interphalangeal
joints are rarely involved. The temperature over the involved joints (except the hip) can be
elevated, but there is usually no accompanying erythema. There are limitations in the range
of motion, muscle strength, and function around inflamed joints.

In addition, soft, poorly delineated subcutaneous nodules (rheumatoid nodules) are often
found in the extensor surface of the forearm. Soft, small lymph nodes are found occasionally
in epitrochlear, axillary, and cervical areas [12]. Other symptoms that may present include anemia due to deficits in bone
marrow production; eye burning, itching, and discharge; or lung inflammation (pleurisy)
[5,10,11,12]. Joint destruction may occur within 1 to 2
years after the appearance of the disease.

LABORATORY AND IMAGING RESULTS

The 2010 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and
European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) joint working group recommends several laboratory
tests for the diagnosis of RA, including rheumatoid factor, erythrocyte sedimentation rate
(ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody
[18]. A positive rheumatoid factor is the
most specific and sensitive laboratory marker of RA, as it is seen in about 70% to 80% of
patients [5,11,12]. It is also present in many healthy individuals, patients with other
rheumatic diseases, and individuals with chronic infections. ESR is typically ≥30 mm/hr, and
CRP level is typically ≥0.7 pg/mL [12,14]. The anti-CCP antibody test is a specific
blood test available for diagnosing RA and distinguishing it from other types of arthritis
[11,12]. The anti-CCP antibody test is a marker of ACPA and is positive in about
80% to 90% of patients; it can also be present in other diseases, including active
tuberculosis, and is especially useful in early synovitis. While RA differs from person to
person, individuals with rheumatoid factor, the anti-CCP antibody, or subcutaneous nodules
tend to have more severe forms of the disease [11,12].

As noted, RA is a clinical diagnosis [135]. To date, biomarkers for the initial tissue processes that cause joint damage in RA lack
prognostic accuracy and are therefore inadequate as stand-alone tests, but they can help to
rule out other causes of arthritis when a patient has clinical features of RA [136]. In 2010, a multi-biomarker disease
activity test, Vectra DA, was introduced. This test uses a unique algorithm to derive a
composite score (1 to 100) based on the results of 12 blood protein biomarkers, including
vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, epidermal growth factor, vascular endothelial growth
factor A, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor type 1, matrix
metalloproteinase-1 or collagenase-1, matrix metalloproteinase-3 or stromelysin-1, YKL-40,
leptin, resistin, serum amyloid, and CRP [13,156]. Vectra DA has been independently
verified and found to correlate well to disease activity measured with RA assessment tools
(e.g., Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using the CRP level).

There are several other laboratory tests used in the
differential diagnosis of RA. Urinalysis may reveal mild normochromic and either normocytic
or microcytic anemia (hemoglobin 10 g/dL); white blood cell count and differential may
reveal thrombocytosis [12,14]. Although baseline evaluation of renal and
hepatic function is not sensitive or specific for RA, it is recommended because the findings
will guide medication choices.

In certain instances, clinicians may perform an arthrocentesis in order to differentiate
RA from other arthropathies. Usual findings from synovial fluid aspiration that support a
diagnosis of RA include straw-colored fluid with a significant number of fibrin flecks,
synovial fluid ability to clot at room temperature, and 5,000–25,000 white blood cells
(WBCs)/mm3 (5 to 25 × 109/L) with
85% polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PML) [5,12]. In addition, bacterial cultures
are negative, no crystals are present, and the synovial fluid glucose level is low [5,12].

Popular imaging tests for RA include joint ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
and joint x-rays. Imaging studies may show normal findings or osteopenia and erosions near
joint spaces in early disease; wrist and ankle films are useful as baselines for comparison
with future studies [12,15]. Implementing the modern treatment strategy
in RA (i.e., early initiation and optimal adjustments of aggressive therapies) requires
methods for early diagnosis and sensitive monitoring of the disease process.

In RA clinical trials and routine management, conventional radiography is the pivotal
method for diagnosing and monitoring structural joint damage. However, it is insensitive to
bone damage at its earliest stages and incapable of capturing synovitis. In comparison with
radiography, MRI offers assessment of bone damage with improved sensitivities to early
pathology and changes in joint structure. With increased use of MRI, it has been found that
joints occasionally exhibit MRI evidence of synovitis in the absence of symptoms [15]. In addition, detailed assessment of soft
tissue changes, including synovitis and tenosynovitis, is possible, and MRI findings are of
prognostic value for the long-term radiological outcome. Ultrasonography, although less
specific and sensitive in RA diagnosis than MRI, offers comparable information on both
inflammatory and destructive changes in RA finger and toe joints.

MRI and ultrasonography have significantly increased detection of early joint damage,
assessment of synovial inflammation, and therapeutic management of patients with RA.
Clinicians should be familiar with the MRI and sonographic appearances of early RA in the
small synovial joints of the appendicular skeleton. Sonography provides a way to detect
synovitis, whereas MRI allows a more intricate approach to the small synovial joints of the
appendicular skeleton.

Research

Because the available recommended laboratory tests are insufficient for early
detection of RA and diagnosis of rapidly advancing disease, research focusing on
identifying biomarkers that improve diagnostic and prognostic accuracy is ongoing. A 2013
study found that serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) levels can predict how
rapidly RA will progress [136]. (COMP
levels are typically elevated early in the disease process and then stabilize or wane as
the disease advances in patients with typical RA.) Patients whose serum-COMP levels
steadily increased between their diagnosis and the subsequent 3 months had significantly
more joint damage at 1-, 2-, and 5-year follow-ups than patients with steady or reduced
serum-COMP levels [136]. A separate study
also found that high serum COMP levels in early stage RA were associated with bone
erosion, whereas low serum-COMP levels in early stage RA were not [137].

Calprotectin levels were also found to correlate with clinical and laboratory
assessments of joint inflammation in a small-scale 2013 study [138]. Levels of the protein decreased in
response to treatment, indicating calprotectin is a promising biomarker for assessment and
monitoring of RA disease activity. Further research is needed to examine whether
calprotectin sampling is a useful tool.

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

A number of different medical conditions may be considered
in the differential diagnosis of RA (Table 1) [16,17,135,139]. These include:

Connective tissue diseases (e.g., lupus, scleroderma, polymyositis)

Fibromyalgia

Hemochromatosis

Infectious endocarditis

Lyme arthritis

Osteoarthritis

Polyarticular sepsis

Sarcoidosis

Thyroid disease

Viral arthritis

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Disease Considered

Differentiating Factors

Connective tissue diseases

Consider biomarkers for scleroderma and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Fibromyalgia

Evaluate for trigger points that cause pain symptoms.

Hemochromatosis

Perform iron studies and assess skin coloration changes.

Infectious endocarditis

Rule out heart murmurs, high fever, and history of intravenous drug use in
history and physical examination.

Lyme arthritis

Patient resides in or has traveled to Lyme-endemic area, has a history of
erythema migrans or other disease manifestations, and involvement is restricted to
large joints. Serologic testing is positive for Lyme disease.

Presents with only pain in the proximal joints of the extremities, unlike
rheumatoid arthritis.

Sarcoidosis

Hypercalcemia on lab findings, and granulomas likely on chest films.

Seronegative spondyloarthropathies, reactive arthritis

Tend to be more asymmetric than rheumatoid arthritis. More commonly involves
the joints of the spine. Evaluate for history of psoriasis, Reiter's comorbidities,
and inflammatory bowel disease. Reactive arthritis can be postinfective, sexually
acquired, or related to gastrointestinal disorders.

Early in the course of RA, self-limited viral syndromes
should be considered, especially hepatitis B and C, parvovirus, rubella (infection or
vaccination), and Epstein-Barr virus [16,17,139]. At any time, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriatic arthritis, and
reactive arthritis may present diagnostic challenges. This requires a targeted history and
examination to elucidate associated clinical symptoms, such as rashes, oral ulcers, nail
changes, dactylitis, urethritis, and renal, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, or ophthalmologic
complications [5,16]. Remitting rheumatoid factor-negative
symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema and paraneoplastic syndromes should be considered
in elderly patients with fulminant-onset RA [17]. Chronic tophaceous gout may also mimic severe nodular RA.
Hypothyroidism not only causes many rheumatic manifestations but also occurs commonly in
conjunction with RA and, therefore, should be kept in mind [17].

CLASSIFICATION

In 2010, the ACR/EULAR published their Classification Criteria for Rheumatoid Arthritis (Table 2) [18]. These criteria are the standard for the classification of RA, replacing the 1987 ACR criteria. The new measures have much greater statistical power to identify early disease and distinguish the efficacy of treatments than the 1987 response measures.

2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism Classification
Criteria for Rheumatoid Arthritisa

For classification purposes, a patient has definite RA if
he/she scores at least 6 points in the established classification system. There is no
designation as classic or probable RA [18].
The ACR has also developed the global functional status report [19,20]:

Class I : Completely able to perform usual activities of daily living (self-care,
vocational, and avocational)

Class II: Able to perform usual self-care and vocational activities, but limited in
avocational activities

Class III: Able to perform usual self-care activities, but limited in vocational and
avocational activities

These classification scales have been updated with proposals for revision from the ACR [19].

TREATMENT

RA has no known prevention or cure. Lifelong treatment is
usually required, including medication, physical therapy, exercise, and possibly surgery. In
order to provide the best outcomes, patients should be educated regarding the most appropriate
treatment regimens for their disease manifestations, as earlier RA diagnosis can assist in
aggressive early treatment for RA (when indicated), thereby delaying joint destruction. The
2010 ACR/EULAR Classification Criteria for Rheumatoid Arthritis is now a well-established
diagnostic and prognostic tool; as such, guidelines (e.g., the 2013 update of the EULAR
Recommendations for the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis with Synthetic and Biological
Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs) recommend that patients start treatment with a
disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) immediately following a RA diagnosis [140]. Therapeutic goals include preservation of
function and quality of life, minimization of pain and inflammation, joint protection, and
control of systemic complications, with the ultimate aim being low disease activity or
remission [5,11,12,140,142].

Until the 1980s, pharmacologic treatment of RA used a so-called "pyramid" approach [142]. Symptom-alleviating treatment was started at diagnosis; as symptoms progressed, dosages were changed or additional medications were added [21]. Standard pharmacotherapy involved a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for control of pain, and if not effective, initiation of a DMARD later. Throughout the next few decades, treatment involved the initiation of a DMARD, particularly methotrexate, after diagnosis, but still focused on alleviating symptoms with NSAIDs and low-dose oral or intra-articular glucocorticoids [142].

Today, the recommended standard of treatment is a tightly
controlled, aggressive strategy tailored to each patient, with modifications to the individual
medication regimen to achieve a particular target (remission, or alternatively, low disease
activity) in a specific period of time (usually 6 months) [140]. The "treat-to-target" approach for a patient with early high disease
activity and poor prognostic features typically involves initiation of methotrexate and/or
another DMARD(s) immediately upon diagnosis [24,140,142]. Initial combination therapies with DMARDs, particularly those including a
biologic anti-TNF agent, appear to provide earlier clinical improvement and less joint damage
progression in patients with early moderate or highly active disease; they can be withdrawn
successfully, and fewer treatment adjustments are needed than with initial monotherapies [22,23,24,25,140]. Patients with active disease are monitored closely (every 1 to 3 months),
and it is recommended that treatment adjustments be made if there is no improvement at 3
months (or if the 6 month target has not been reached) [140]. Patients with low-to-moderate disease activity or high disease activity
without poor prognostic features are typically started on DMARD monotherapy.

A 2012 meta-analysis of four studies comparing tight control with usual care found that applying a treat-to-(any)target approach approximately doubled remission rates in patients with early RA with high disease activity [142]. One small-scale study comparing early aggressive treatment (i.e., methotrexate) with usual care (i.e., using milder drugs initially, with intensification of treatment as needed) found that there was approximately 50% remission in each group at the study end point (2 years) [144]. However, during the course of the study, 23 of 24 patients in the conventional care group had progressed to aggressive treatment (with methotrexate) and most were given intra-articular corticosteroids much more frequently than those in the tight control group. It is interesting to note that the aggressive treatment group, which was started on methotrexate, was not aggressive by today's standards, as adalimumab was only started in poor responders 6 months after initiation of treatment. Progression of joint damage (i.e., lack of radiological remission) occurred among a minority of participants even in the aggressive treatment group who were considered to be in clinical remission (based on assessment scores); on average, radiological and functional scores were similar in both groups at the end of the study [144]. The authors emphasize that their results do not indicate an advantage of one treatment strategy over another; instead factors such as patient preference and risk versus benefit (e.g., weighing the severe side effects of the stronger DMARDs against their rapid response) should guide the treatment decision [144]. In addition, the measures of remission are ill defined, and to progress a patient from low disease activity (which may be a satisfactory target) to clinically defined remission may require a medication regimen greater than what is safe or tolerable. Most clinicians in the study were unwilling to push for remission if their patient's disease was reduced to an acceptable level with conservative treatment.

DISEASE-MODIFYING ANTIRHEUMATIC DRUGS (DMARDS)

DMARDs are the current standard of pharmaceutical care for
RA, and their choice for a patient should be determined by several factors, including
patient compliance, disease severity, physician experience, and the presence of various
comorbidities. Table 3 provides a list of the most
commonly used DMARDs and their most common adverse effects [22,23,24,25].

Methotrexate is the most commonly prescribed DMARD and is
still considered the "anchor drug" for the treatment of RA [140,143]. Leflunomide, a competitive inhibitor of an intracellular enzyme needed
for de novo pyrimidine synthesis, is a newer DMARD with comparable efficacy that can be
substituted for methotrexate and may be particularly useful for patients with intolerance of
or contraindications to methotrexate [12,27,141]. Patients who have failed monotherapy with methotrexate may benefit from
the addition of leflunomide, either with methotrexate or other DMARDs [141]. Other commonly prescribed DMARD
medications include hydroxychloroquine, minocycline, and sulfasalazine; the anti-TNF
biologic agents adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, certolizumab pegol, and golimumab; and
the non-TNF biologic agents abatacept, anakinra, rituximab, and tocilizumab [143]. Sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine are
anti-malarial medications that are often prescribed as first-line therapy. However, the
treatment effects of the anti-malarial medications may take weeks or months in order to be
effective [25,26]. In more severe cases (i.e., moderate or
high disease activity and poor prognostic features), combination therapy with two or three
DMARDs is used as immediate first-line treatment [24,25,26,140].

Biological agents (anti-TNF and non-TNF) have been used
since 1998 and are now a well-established form of DMARD therapy [143]. Non-TNF agents are generally only used if
TNF-alpha inhibitors fail to control disease or if they are contraindicated. The TNF-alpha
inhibitors (adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, certolizumab pegol, and golimumab) block the
proteins responsible for the inflammation process and are given subcutaneously or
intravenously, thereby lowering TNF-alpha levels, which are elevated in the synovial fluid
in patients with RA [5,11,12,24]. Treatment with
anti-TNF therapies also significantly improves the anemia associated with RA [25,32,33]. Etanercept is a
soluble TNF-alpha-receptor fusion protein, with some studies showing comparable long-term
treatment effects to methotrexate [12,28]. However, etanercept elicits more rapid
symptom improvement, often within 2 weeks [25]. Infliximab is another anti-TNF-alpha antibody that has shown greater response than
placebo (52% versus 17%) in patients who had a poor response to methotrexate [29,30]. Adalimumab, a recombinant TNF-alpha antibody, has an additive effect
when taken with methotrexate [31].

Certolizumab pegol is a humanized antigen-binding fragment (Fab') of a monoclonal antibody that has been conjugated to polyethylene glycol and is administered subcutaneously [147]. It is the only anti-TNF pegylated Fab' approved for use in RA, either as monotherapy or with other DMARDs. Because of certolizumab pegol's unique structure, certain cytotoxic effects (e.g., complement-dependent cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity) seen with other anti-TNF agents (adalimumab, infliximab, and etanercept) do not occur [147]. Certolizumab pegol also does not actively transfer across the placenta; although it has been used safely during pregnancy in humans (and in animal studies), this agent should only be used if clearly needed.

Golimumab is an anti-TNF-alpha antibody similar to adalimumab and infliximab [147]. One study found that golimumab had a similar safety profile as the other anti-TNF agents, but that the 100-mg dose showed higher incidences of serious infections, demyelinating events, and lymphoma than 50 mg [149].

The non-TNF agents (abatacept, anakinra, rituximab, and tocilizumab) are specific white blood cell modulators that work to control inflammation. Abatacept decreases the number of T-cells, which reduces the activation of other cells in the inflammatory process. Abatacept is given once a month either subcutaneously or intravenously [5,11,12]. Anakinra is a recombinant interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist that has been found to be more effective than placebo when administered alone or in combination with methotrexate in several randomized controlled trials [25,32]. Anakinra, anti-TNF therapies, and denosumab (a nuclear factor-kappa B [RANK] ligand inhibitor) have the demonstrated ability to improve RA-associated osteoporosis and joint space erosions [25; 32]. However, anakinra, like other biologic DMARDs, is associated with various adverse effects, including skin irritation at the injection site, increased infection risk, and leukopenia [25].

Rituximab is a B-cell surface receptor antibody that has
shown promise in several studies. It is given intravenously twice a year and reduces the
number of abnormal B-cells produced in patients with RA [145].

Tocilizumab blocks the attachment site for IL-6, effectively preventing the cytokine from activating an immune response [146]. The agent is administered as a monthly IV infusion and appears to have a similar safety profile as other non-TNF biologic agents.

In 2012, a targeted agent, tofacitinib, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of patients with RA with inadequate response to methotrexate [133]. Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor and is the first in the class to be approved for the treatment of RA. The approved dose is 5 mg twice daily, but this may be decreased to one 5-mg dose daily in the presence of moderate-to-severe renal impairment, moderate hepatic impairment, or coadministration of certain antifungals [134]. Tofacitinib can be used either as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate or other nonbiologic DMARDs [133]. Boxed warnings related to risks for serious infection, tuberculosis, and lymphoma and other malignancies have been issued for this agent.

Unfortunately, many of the available RA treatments can also cause serious side effects
[34]. Because biologics have significant
side effects and are expensive, patients with mild or moderate disease are often first
treated with methotrexate (unless contraindicated) or other conventional DMARDs [143]. Induction of malignancy is a concern when
RA is treated with biologic therapy, as patient immune systems are suppressed; however, a
2014 systematic safety literature review found that the overall risk for malignancy is not
significantly increased, with the exception of melanoma (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.5) [5,11,12,34,35,148]. Biologics are
associated with an increased risk of infection, especially tuberculosis and herpes zoster
reactivation [25,31,148]. Patients should be evaluated for latent tuberculosis infection before
drug administration and monitored for signs and symptoms of active tuberculosis [5,11,12]. Patients at risk of
hepatitis B virus infection should be evaluated for carrier status before adalimumab
initiation; any live vaccine should not be concurrently administered in these patients [36]. Vaccination with live attenuated vaccines
(e.g., herpes zoster) should be undertaken prior to initiation of TNF and non-TNF biologics
[24].

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY MEDICATIONS

NSAIDs, glucocorticoids, or cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)
inhibitors are often used concurrently to treat RA-associated joint pain and inflammation.
However, they do not alter the disease course and should not be used as single
therapy.

Potential side effects are a consideration with these
medications as well. Patients taking NSAIDs should be monitored for long-term
NSAID-associated complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding, cardiovascular problems
(e.g., myocardial infarction, stroke), and gastric ulcers and bleeding. COX-2 inhibitors
block an inflammation-promoting enzyme called cyclooxygenase; this drug class was initially
believed to work as well as traditional NSAIDs, but with fewer stomach problems. However,
myocardial infarction and stroke reports have prompted the FDA to re-evaluate the risks and
benefits of the COX-2 inhibitors. Although certain COX-2 inhibitors (such as celecoxib) are
still available, they are labeled with strong warnings and a recommendation for prescribing
the lowest possible dose for the shortest possible duration [134].

Corticosteroids reduce joint swelling and inflammation, and a glucocorticoid injection is
a safe and highly effective, but temporary, intervention for single-joint treatment.
Infectious arthritis should be ruled out before injections are performed. Steroid dosages
equivalent to less than 10 mg of prednisone daily are highly effective for relieving RA
symptoms and can slow joint damage [37].
However, corticosteroids should be taken for the shortest time (ideally, less than 6 months)
and at the smallest doses possible due to potential long-term side effects, including
osteoporosis, cataracts, Cushingoid symptoms, and blood glucose level abnormalities [140]. The ACR recommends that patients being
treated with glucocorticoids take 1,200–1,500 mg of calcium and 800–1,000 IU of vitamin D
daily to prevent glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis [150]. Symptoms may recur with steroid discontinuation, especially when high
dosages are used. Therefore, the agents should be withdrawn slowly, over 1 month or more, to
avoid rebound effects [38]. Systemic
steroids often are used as "bridging therapy" during the initiation of DMARDs therapy before
their action is noted; some of the newer DMARDs have a relatively rapid onset of action,
making this method less necessary [140].

SURGERY

According to the National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions, when surgery is offered to people with RA, the main expected benefits are pain relief, improvement (or prevention of further deterioration) of joint function, and prevention of deformity.

Occasionally, surgery is needed to correct severely affected
joints. Surgeries serve to relieve joint pain, correct deformities, and modestly improve
joint function [5,11,12]. The most successful locations of surgery are those performed on the
knees and hips [5,11,12]. The first surgical treatment performed is a synovectomy, which removes
part or all of the joint lining (synovium). This procedure may only provide temporary
relief, but it can be effective for patients for whom pharmacologic treatment has not
resulted in improvements. Surgeries performed in later-onset disease include total joint
replacement with a joint prosthesis. In extreme cases, total knee or hip replacement can
have enhanced importance, making the difference between a dependent or independent lifestyle
for a patient.

There are a significant number of total joint replacements performed each year in the United States, and the procedures are considered relatively safe and effective. However, some patients will experience prosthesis failure. Risk factors for failure include male gender, age younger than 55 years at the time of surgery, obesity, and the presence of comorbidities. In terms of factors related to the surgeon, greater procedure volume (both of the surgeon and the facility), prosthesis choice, and surgical technique (e.g., proper alignment of the prosthesis) all contribute to better patient outcomes [84]. It is important to note that both knee and hip replacement are associated with a high risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism compared with other surgeries. Without prophylaxis, DVT will develop in most patients [85]. Therefore, prophylactic treatment, usually with either low-molecular-weight heparin or warfarin, is recommended for patients undergoing one of these procedures, unless contraindications are present. In general, total joint replacement is reserved for patients for whom other treatments have been ineffective.

PHYSIOTHERAPY

Range-of-motion exercises and individualized exercise
programs prescribed by a physical therapist can also delay the loss of joint function. Joint
protection techniques, heat and cold treatments, and splints or orthotic devices to support
and align joints may be of assistance [5,11,12]. Some therapists will use specialized devices to apply deep heat or
electrical stimulation to reduce pain and improve joint mobility [5,11,12]. Occupational
therapists can construct splints for the hand and wrist and teach patients with RA how to
protect and use their joints most effectively. In addition to physiotherapy, occupational
therapists can also show patients with RA how to better cope with limitations that can
affect their daily tasks at work and at home. For example, many clinicians have recommended
frequent rest periods between activities and proper sleeping habits (e.g., 8 to 10 hours of
sleep per night) [93].

COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is on the rise among the general population, and its use for the treatment of RA is extremely commonplace among individuals in the United States, despite a lack of evidence for the long-term benefit of many of these practices [94,95,96,97]. Research from 2010–2011 indicates a prevalence of CAM use of up to 90% among patients with RA, compared to 38% in the healthy population [98,151]. A 2014 survey of 855 African American patients with RA found that 98% had ever engaged in CAM activities, 95% had ever used CAM treatments, and 51% had visited a CAM provider [152]. CAM use varies significantly between cultural/social groups, and as such, it may be difficult to draw overall prevalence data from this study. However, it is known that patients with symptoms of severe pain are more likely to engage in self-treatment, nutritional supplementation, and unconventional approaches to coping and healing than those with less symptomatic arthritis [94]. Patients may also choose alternatives because conventional medicine offers no cure, symptoms persist despite conventional therapy, CAM offers a relatively favorable risk/benefit ratio compared to pharmacotherapy, and/or their culture or society supports the use of CAM. Nearly 15% of CAM users cite healthcare costs as an impetus [98,99].

Despite the fact that no evidence exists to support the use of CAM for long-term improvement in RA, short-term relief of symptoms is often realized with various CAM therapies [94,95]. CAM encompasses a wide range of therapeutic practices, from modified diets and the use of herbal medications (HMs) and other natural products (NPs) to yoga and tai chi exercises. Other therapies, such as acupuncture, biofeedback, chiropractic medicine, homeopathy, hypnosis, massage, meditation, naturopathy, osteopathy, prayer, and traditional cultural medicine (e.g., Chinese, Native American, Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani), are all considered CAM because they fall outside the realm of conventional Western medicine; however nonvitamin, nonmineral natural products are the most commonly used category of CAM, followed by deep breathing, meditation, and massage therapy [98]. For healthcare professionals, the major significance of CAM use (especially HMs and NPs) by patients with RA is that it goes unreported about 50% to 70% of the time, and some modalities can modify the efficacy of medications being taken concurrently or cause serious adverse effects when combined with pharmaceuticals [97]. Most often, patients say they are simply not asked about use, but are generally forthcoming about CAM with their physicians when discussion is initiated. A very small minority feel that healthcare professionals are ignorant and skeptical of CAM and will only admonish them for use; nonetheless, inquiring about CAM, while remaining nonjudgmental, is advised to gain a clear understanding of all the factors involved.

Aside from supplementation with several specific types of oils, the only complementary therapy currently endorsed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for patients with RA is to consume a nutritious, balanced diet [153]. Some argue that the typical American diet, which is based on animal proteins (many of which are now devoid of significant levels of nutrients and/or are heavily processed) and typically consisting of high levels of animal fats (e.g., cheese, butter, ice cream) and simple carbohydrates promotes inflammation [95]. However, others argue that restricting the intake of good quality food sources of nutrients, such as fish and real cheese, can lead to dietary deficiencies. A growing body of evidence supports the belief that proper nutrition from food, or more specifically, avoidance or correction of nutritional deficiencies, can prevent the development of inflammatory disorders in genetically predisposed individuals. One group of researchers writes that, "diet can affect transgenerational gene expression via 'reversible' heritable epigenetic mechanisms" [100]. It is believed that certain anti-inflammatory bioactive food components (e.g., carotenoids, organosulfurs, polyphenols, phytosterols, tocopherols, tocotrienols) can lessen the rates and negative effects of acetylation, methylation, oxidation, phosphorylation, ribosylation, SUMOylation, and ubiquitination.

One food-sourced supplement, fish oil, is a proven, powerful
RA therapy and contains several bioactive components, such as the omega-3 fatty acids
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). A 2010 meta- and mega-analysis
of randomized controlled trials confirmed the efficacy of fish oil for the relief of joint
pain and found a significantly reduced use of anti-inflammatory drugs in patients with
long-standing RA [101]. NSAIDs can cause an
increased cardiovascular risk, and reduced morbidity and mortality among participants in the
research groups was also attributable to fish oil supplementation, as atherosclerosis and
NSAID use are both reduced with this therapy. Past research was limited to long-standing
cases of RA; it is unclear whether fish oil can prevent joint damage in recent-onset RA
[101]. Though fish oil is most often
studied, krill oil (from a small, shrimp-like crustacean) has also shown similarly
beneficial results [102]. It should be noted
that concerns over bleeding risks (e.g., hemorrhagic stroke) related to a high intake of
fish oil have been shown to be unfounded [103]. However, blood thinning is a side effect, and patients should be advised to eat foods
rich in vitamin K1 while taking these supplements.

Other HMs and NPs have received attention for the treatment of RA and have been or are currently being studied, including gamma-linolenic acid (from evening primrose, borage, and black currant), thunder god vine extract (used in traditional Chinese medicine), nettle leaf, turmeric, frankincense, ginger, and green tea. However, the results are either inconsistent or inconclusive or the risk profile of the product is of concern [97]. Thunder god vine, in particular, has many negative side effects in large doses. Mind-body therapies, such as tai chi, yoga, meditation, biofeedback, imagery, and relaxation, have shown positive correlations with coping and mood disorders associated with RA, but have no significant, lasting effects on pain and the other physical symptoms of RA [97]. The danger to patients who rely exclusively on CAM for the treatment of recent-onset RA is that the disease will progress unchecked.

LIFESTYLE INTERVENTIONS

In addition to the medical management of RA, several lifestyle changes may improve symptom severity and decrease the number of flare-ups. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disorders recommends advising patients regarding rest and exercise, use of orthotic devices, stress reduction, and healthful diet [5].

Exercise

It can be empowering for some patients to feel that they have an active role in their own rehabilitation and care. Therefore, primary care providers may consider advising patients to exercise for general health and RA-symptom benefits. Although there are no U.S. guidelines established addressing the role of exercise in the management of RA, several Canadian and European organizations have published recommendations. The National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions recommends counseling patients to improve general fitness and encourage regular exercise, focusing on exercises for enhancing joint flexibility and muscle strength and managing other functional impairments [95]. The Ottawa Panel has made recommendations regarding exercise and physical therapy for patients with RA, advocating for the incorporation of specific functional strengthening and low-intensity whole-body exercises [109]. The Panel found that more intense exercise was associated with symptom exacerbation and damage to affected joints. In general, exercise has been found to improve pain, upper-limb (grip) and lower-limb force, functional status, overall function, and number of sick days, which was noted to be of particular importance due to its socioeconomic impact [109].

Orthotic Devices

The use of splints may be useful in some patients, particularly for short periods of time [5]. The devices work by providing rest, support, and stabilization of the affected joint. Most often, the hand and wrist joints are splinted, but the foot and ankle may also be amenable to these devices. Several studies have failed to show a significant improvement in symptoms as a result of splinting upper limbs, and mixed evidence supports the use of splinting on lower limbs [124,125,126,127]. There is also some support of the practice of nighttime splinting to prevent "swan neck" deformities in affected finger joints [128].

Stress

Stress has been proven to exacerbate the proinflammatory load associated with RA, and it can be a significant contributor to more severe disease [129]. One study found that chronic interpersonal stress was associated with greater stimulated cellular production of IL-6 among patients with RA [130]. This can lead to increased sensitization to pain and engagement in the stress cycle. Patients who are also depressed may experience a heightened response to stressful events [131]. Interventions designed to lessen stress and/or enhance stress coping skills (e.g., biofeedback, breathing techniques, meditation, yoga, mindfulness) may improve symptoms in these patients [132].

EXTRA-ARTICULAR MANIFESTATIONS

RA is not solely a disease of joint destruction; it can involve almost all organs. The numerous extra-articular manifestations of RA will be further discussed in the following sections (Table 4) [39].

EXTRA-ARTICULAR MANIFESTATIONS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Condition

Diagnostic Criteria

Pericarditis

Clinical judgment and exudation verified by echocardiography. If not available,
use following clinical criteria (at least 1 required):

CARDIOVASCULAR MANIFESTATIONS

RA may cause inflammation of the outer cardiac lining (pericarditis) and cardiac muscle (myocarditis), leading to congestive heart failure. In a population-based cohort study, patients with RA had a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease than those without RA [41]. More than half of the patients 50 to 59 years of age and all of those older than 60 years of age with a new diagnosis of RA had a more than 10% increased risk of cardiovascular disease within 10 years of RA onset.

Patients who have RA are less likely to report angina symptoms than those who do not; they are also more likely to experience both unrecognized myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death [41]. The risk of coronary artery disease in patients with RA cannot be explained by an increased incidence of traditional coronary artery disease risk factors [42].

The Nurses' Health Study evaluated the incidence of the composite end point of fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction and stroke in 527 women diagnosed with RA [43]. The incidence of an adverse cardiac event was significantly higher in women with RA of longer duration than in women without RA (272 cases versus 96 cases per 100,000 person-years; relative risk: 3.1) [43]. The frequency of hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol was comparable between women with RA and those without. Compared with women without RA, women with RA were more likely to have a parental history of myocardial infarction before 60 years of age. Body mass index was slightly less and physical activity levels were significantly lower for participants with RA than those without.

In a study by del Rincon and colleagues comparing the incidence of cardiovascular-related hospitalizations, procedures, or deaths in patients with and without RA, the incidence of cardiovascular events was significantly higher among those with RA (3.43 versus 0.59 per 100 person-years) [44]. In an observational studies meta-analysis, Aviña-Zubieta and colleagues showed that cardiovascular disease mortality increased by about 50% in patients who had RA compared those who did not have the disease [45]. Thus, a clear connection appears between cardiac disease and RA.

PULMONARY MANIFESTATIONS

Pulmonary manifestations are also seen in patients with RA. There are several types of potential pulmonary manifestations of RA: pleural disease, interstitial pneumonitis, and fibrosis. Pleural effusions and pulmonary rheumatoid nodules are the most common manifestations, along with high rheumatoid factor titers [46,47,48]. Pleuritis is more often found in autopsies of patients with RA than in living patients. In about 20% of patients, pleuritis develops concurrently with RA onset [48]. Although pleuritic pain is not usually a major complaint, the effusions may be large enough to cause dyspnea. Pulmonary fibrosis can either be slowly progressive or result from pulmonary inflammatory disease; on physical exam of the lungs, they present with fine, diffuse, dry rales.

Early in the disease, patients with RA may develop pulmonary mononuclear cell infiltrate-associated interstitial lung disease; in later phases of interstitial lung disease, these patients develop pulmonary fibrosis [48,49]. Symptomatic interstitial lung disease occurs in approximately 3% to 14% of patients with RA, whereas detailed pulmonary function testing and autopsy studies have indicated that 35% to 60% of patients with RA have evidence of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary fibrosis [39,50,51]. Risk factors for the development of interstitial lung disease include smoking and disease severity (as measured by a disability assessment), although some studies found no correlation between disease severity and interstitial lung disease in patients with RA [51,52]. Patients with RA who smoke are at a higher risk for fibrotic complications in the lungs than are patients in the general population.

VASCULITIS

Vasculitis is a term used to group extra-articular complications of RA that are related to
inflammatory vascular disease. The initial pathologic change in RA often includes
inflammatory changes in medium and small blood vessels. These patients can develop skin
ulcerations, infections, or neuropathy affecting the brain, nerves, and heart, consequently
causing stroke, myocardial infarction, or heart failure [5,11,12]. Systemic rheumatoid vasculitis, one of the
most feared complications of RA, has become less prevalent in recent decades. This decline
in rheumatoid vasculitis likely relates to the marked improvement in therapy resulting from
widespread use of methotrexate and the new biologic agents. The associated neuropathy is of
a distal sensory or sensorimotor type. Dermatological manifestations may include nail-fold
infarcts, skin ulcerations, or gangrene [53]. There is a strong association between rheumatoid factor levels and the development of
vasculitis in patients with RA, usually caused by intravascular deposition of immune
complexes containing rheumatoid factor and immunoglobulin from complement-mediated vascular
damage [39,54,55,56].

OCULAR INVOLVEMENT

Ocular involvement is another major manifestation of RA, usually manifesting as scleritis, development of anterior uveitis, and peripheral ulcerative keratitis (corneal melt) [57,58]. These disorders are associated with inflammatory cytokines produced by ocular mononuclear cell infiltrates [58,59]. There appears to be a correlation between RA disease scale and scleritis development [61]. However, unlike many other systemic RA manifestations, ocular involvement may be independent of RA disease activity [60]. Patients with RA can also develop secondary Sjögren's syndrome, associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea) [62]. There is an association between rheumatoid factor levels and keratoconjunctivitis sicca in patients with RA [63]. Secondary Sjögren's syndrome is also associated with salivary and lacrimal gland inflammatory changes with mononuclear cell infiltration [57,62].

OSTEOPENIA AND OSTEOPOROSIS

Osteopenia and osteoporosis are very common extra-articular complications in patients with RA [64]. The development of osteopenia in patients with RA appears to occur independent of corticosteroid use and is directly linked to elevated levels of the RANK ligand expressed by T cells, which promotes osteoclastic bone resorption [64,65,66]. Osteopenia in RA is directly associated with inflammation markers [66]. The periarticular osteopenia that occurs in patients with RA is likely related to high local levels of IL-1 and TNF-alpha, which are produced in inflamed RA synovium and augment RANK ligand production [67].

ANEMIA

Hematologic abnormalities, especially anemia, are present in the majority of patients with RA [69,70]. Anemia of chronic disease is commonly present in patients with RA, and its severity is directly related to high levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-alpha, IL-1, and IL-6 [69,71,72,73]. Thrombocytosis is another common hematologic finding, correlating with disease activity and inflammation markers [75]. High rheumatoid factor and disease activity level (as measured by physical exam and by CRP and ESR levels) is seen with the development of Felty's syndrome (defined by the presence of RA, splenomegaly, and neutropenia), large granulocytic leukemia, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in patients with RA [69,76].

RHEUMATOID NODULES

Rheumatoid nodules occur in 20% of patients with RA [77]. Most commonly they are subcutaneously developed in pressure areas (e.g., the elbows and finger joints). In addition, they can occasionally affect internal organs elsewhere in the body, including pleura, lungs, meninges, and larynx [77].

The mature rheumatoid nodule has a central area of necrosis rimmed by a corona of palisading fibroblasts that is surrounded in turn by a collagenous capsule with perivascular collections of chronic inflammatory cells. Careful histologic study suggests that development of the nodule is mediated through affected small arterioles and resulting complement activation and terminal vasculitis [78]. This immunologic response is linked to proliferation of resident histiocytes and fibroblasts and to an influx of macrophages from the circulation [79]. Rheumatoid factor is almost always found in the serum of patients with rheumatoid nodules, which are rarely present in the absence of obvious arthritis [79].

CERVICAL SPINE INSTABILITY

Cervical spine (atlanto-axial) instability may be observed in patients with established RA who have both degeneration of the ligaments and bone in the cervical spine. Transverse ligament degeneration may lead to C1-C2 level instability [5,10,11,12]. As a result of this inherent instability, minor trauma can lead to neurologic sequelae. Thus, patients with RA must be examined carefully after minor falls, motor vehicle accidents, or other injuries. In addition, cervical spine injury may occur spontaneously [5,10,11,12].

The earliest and most common symptom of cervical subluxation is pain radiating up into the occiput [80]. Two other serious, but less common, clinical patterns include slow progressive quadriparesis with sensory loss in the hands and medullary dysfunction associated with vertical penetration of the dens. In addition, paresthesias in the shoulders and arms may occur with head movement [81].

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

In people with newly diagnosed active RA, the National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions recommends offering a combination of DMARDs (including methotrexate and at least one other DMARD, plus short-term glucocorticoids) as first-line treatment as soon as possible, ideally within 3 months of the onset of persistent symptoms.

Although RA is a lifelong illness, there have been
significantly improved trends in disease management. For example, DMARD combination therapy
has been shown to have better treatment outcomes than individual DMARD therapy in patients
with high disease activity. Combinations of methotrexate and the newer biologic DMARD agents
can lead to remission in 30% to 40% of patients with RA, but sustained remission is observed
in only 17% to 20% of patients [16,19,154]. As treatment for RA has improved, severe disability and life-threatening
complications have decreased considerably and many people not in clinical remission live
relatively normal lives with low levels of disease activity.

As most patients with RA will be utilizing pharmacotherapy, regular blood or urine tests should be performed to evaluate the efficacy and incidence of adverse effects related to medication. Because RA may cause eye complications, patients should have regular eye exams. In addition, patients with RA should have yearly cardiovascular assessment examinations.

Another management trend for patients with RA has been toward self-assessment. For the
individual patient, health assessment questionnaires may be a more useful means of evaluating
disease progression. Examples include the EULAR response criteria for RA (which classifies
trial participants as "good," "moderate," or "non-responders" using individual change from
baseline in disease activity score), disease activity indices, and various daily activity
score surveys [24,82]. Outcome measures, some based on patient
reported outcomes (such as the Rheumatology Assessment Patient Index Data), some based on a
combination of laboratory and physician-derived measures (such as the Disease Activity Score,
Simplified Disease Activity Index, and Clinical Disease Activity Index), should be used
routinely to ensure that healthcare professionals are providing optimum care for patients with
RA. (Various versions of the Disease Activity Score are available online at http://www.das-score.nl/das28/en.)

A 2013 study compared patient-assessed, physician-assessed, and musculoskeletal ultrasound-assessed disease activity in patients with RA that was considered by their rheumatologists to be in clinical remission [155]. Using the Simplified Disease Activity Index, patient self-assessment and physician assessment of remission status were similar (14.5% and 11.6% of patients, respectively). Using a modified version of the Disease Activity Score, the DAS28, 26% of patients had achieved clinical remission based on self-assessment compared to 52% based on physician assessment (not the patients' regular physician). Patient-physician agreement on the tender joint count portion of the assessment was high, but agreement was lower for the swollen joint count portion. Neither patients nor physicians accurately predicted ultrasound synovitis findings, but physicians were more accurate.

Radiologic assessment scales also are useful [83]. Treatment should be guided by individual clinical response to various
interventions. Changes in hemoglobin, ESR, and CRP may serve as helpful indicators of response
to treatment, but platelet count and rheumatoid factor levels tend not to correlate well with
indicators of treatment [83].

CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-ENGLISH PROFICIENT PATIENTS

Language and cultural barriers have the potential for far-reaching effect,
given the growing percentages of racial/ethnic populations. As noted, patient understanding
of the risks and benefits of treatment options is an essential aspect of the care of
patients with RA, and it must be assured that all patients have a clear understanding of the
concepts discussed. When there is an obvious disconnect in the communication process between
the practitioner and patient due to the patient's lack of proficiency in the English
language, an interpreter is required.

According to U.S. Census Bureau data from 2012, nearly 40.8 million
Americans are foreign-born, and more than 25 million of them (8.5% of the population) speak
English less than "very well" [86].
Clinicians should ask their patients what language they prefer for their medical care
information, as some individuals prefer their native language even though they have said
they can understand and discuss symptoms in English [87]. Translation services should be provided for patients who do not
understand the clinician's language. "Ad hoc" interpreters (family members, friends,
bilingual staff members,) are often used instead of professional interpreters for a variety
of reasons, including convenience and cost. However, clinicians should check with their
state's health officials about the use of ad hoc interpreters, as several states have laws
about who can interpret medical information for a patient [88]. Even when allowed by law, the use of a patient's family member or
friend as an interpreter should be avoided, as the patient may not be as forthcoming with
information and the family member or friend may not remain objective [88]. Children should especially be avoided as
interpreters, as their understanding of medical language is limited and they may filter
information to protect their parents or other adult family members [88]. Individuals with limited English language
skills have actually indicated a preference for professional interpreters rather than family
members [89].

Most important, perhaps, is the fact that clinical consequences are more
likely with ad hoc interpreters than with professional interpreters [90]. A systematic review of the literature
showed that the use of professional interpreters facilitates a broader understanding and
leads to better clinical care than the use of ad hoc interpreters, and many studies have
demonstrated that the lack of an interpreter for patients with limited English proficiency
compromises the quality of care and that the use of professional interpreters improves
communication (errors and comprehension), utilization, clinical outcomes, and patient
satisfaction with care [91,92].

Clinicians should use plain language in their discussions with their
patients who have low literacy or limited English proficiency. They should ask them to
repeat pertinent information in their own words to confirm understanding, and reinforcement
with the use of low-literacy or translated educational materials may be helpful.

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AS A CHRONIC ILLNESS

Although RA is a physical disease, its effects on a patient's life are wide-ranging, affecting mental health, self-esteem, and ability to function socially and occupationally [5]. Many of the issues that arise for these patients are the result of dealing with a chronic, incurable illness. The problems associated with chronic illness will ultimately color the various domains of a patient's life, including physical, psychological, economic, and social dimensions.

Physical Domain

As noted, RA can affect patients' abilities to continue functioning in their daily activities, such as self care, going to work or school, participating in recreational activities, and continuing with activities the patient enjoyed prior to the chronic condition [107]. Nearly one-quarter of women discontinue working within 4 years of RA diagnosis [5]. Even with appropriate pharmacological treatment, up to 50% of patients will be too disabled to work within 10 years of RA onset [109].

Because of the nature of RA, with its symptoms being long-term, the patient is continually reminded of his/her condition [108]. The symptoms include not only those related to the chronic illness, but the side effects from the treatment that is prescribed [107].

Taylor, Jones, and Burns argue that symptoms are continual symbols for the patient [107]. On an abstract level, symptoms symbolize psychosocial loss such as helplessness, grief, and powerlessness [107]. Ultimately, how a patient perceives the symptoms will affect the course of the illness. Patients who are resigned to their symptoms will passively accept them, while those patients who view them as challenges will engage forcefully and actively to combat them [107].

Psychological Domain

Grief and Sorrow

Loss and sorrow and the ensuing grief are characteristic of patients coping with any chronic illness, including RA [110]. There is grief of the loss of physical functioning [111]. Variables such as age, gender, health before the diagnosis of the illness, and the patient's existing social support influence what types of losses will be experienced [110]. Both the patient and family members grieve and mourn over the loss of the person who once was and previous abilities [112]. Some have termed this "chronic sorrow" because, although the patient may have accepted the diagnosis, the feelings of grief and loss continue to wax and wane throughout the course of the illness [113].

Fears

Because of the uncertainty of the prognosis of the illness, difficulties understanding medical jargon, adapting to a medical regimen and new schedules, and the feeling of loss of control of one's life, patients with RA often experience fear. Pollin highlighted eight different fears a patient with chronic illness experiences [110]:

Loss of control

Loss of self-image

Loss of independence

Stigma

Abandonment

Expression of anger

Isolation

Death

Patients may experience fears and anxiety about their own future, that of their children's future, and the effect of the illness on relationships [114]. Having RA may influence decisions regarding childbearing and family planning [5]. Patients may have concerns about their own sense of attractiveness that affect their outlook, sense of self-esteem, and body image [111,114]. Body image, for example, is an unconscious mental representation of one's body and is influenced by a host of factors including attitudes, sensory and physical sensations, and interpersonal interactions, all of which can be affected by RA [111].

Interpreting and Reinterpreting Meaning

When patients learn of the diagnosis, their worldview changes. They wrestle to answer questions such as: "Why did this happen?" "Why me?" and "Who or what is responsible for this?" [107]. Foley asserted that, generally, individuals ascribe various meanings to illness or suffering, including [115]:

Punishment (having done something to deserve punishment)

Testing (testing one's faith or character)

Bad luck

Nature merely taking its course

Resignation to the will of God

Acceptance of human condition (such as pain, suffering)

Personal growth (suffering helps one grow, makes one a better person)

Denial

Minimizing (downplaying the severity of the illness or prognosis)

Divine perspective

Redemption (finding peace in suffering)

Depression

As previously noted, there is a significant association between depression and RA, with one study indicating that almost 40% of patients with RA self-reported depression after 9 years [104]. The major predictors of depression in patients with RA are fatigue and pain severity and extent, although other measures, including comorbidity, inactivity, and duration of illness, have also been found to be significant [104]. In one study, depressed patients with RA tended to be younger female patients with lower household income, less employment, and greater work disability [104]. Because functional disability will have greater socioeconomic impact in lower income populations, it is hypothesized that this group is at increased risk for developing depressive symptoms [116].

Because depression is so prevalent among patients with RA, rheumatologists and primary care providers should consider assessing for depressive symptoms among their patients, especially among those with worse functional statuses [105]. Research indicates that communication with patients with RA regarding depressive symptoms is a key aspect of identifying and effectively treating the condition before it becomes more severe [105]. Despite its known importance, one study found that depression was only discussed in 25% of primary care visits, with patients initiating the discussion more than half of the time [106].

Economic Domain

RA is not only an emotional drain, but also a financial drain on patients and family members. Because of the debilitating effects of the illness, patients may find themselves giving up their jobs. Some may find it necessary to give up their homes and return to live with their parents [114]. Even if a patient has health insurance, there are often out-of-pocket expenses that are not covered by insurance. Finally, the patient's family may also experience loss of income [107].

Social Domain

Because of their limited functional abilities, some patients with RA may decrease their level of participation in social activities, altering their social network relationships [118]. It may even affect developmental tasks such as finding a partner, having children, or moving to the next phase of their career [114].

Chronic Illness and the Developmental Life Cycle

Developmental transitions are normal aspects of life, and accomplishing developmental tasks can bring about stress. However, the uncertainty of RA compounds these difficulties; it influences how the patient views his/her chronic condition and ultimately affects the family system [110,119]. Chronic illness inevitably sets a different tone for the individual and the family.

Adolescence

Adolescence is characterized as a period of confusion and turmoil. Erik Erikson noted that one of the main developmental tasks for the adolescent is the search for identity, and adolescents who achieve a sense of identity will experience well-being (i.e., a sense of knowing where they are going and a comfort level with their body). In their search for identity, adolescents wrestle with the perception that they are different from their peers [120]. Social acceptance is one of the major concerns for adolescents. However, the chronically ill adolescent is often isolated from other teenagers and spends a large amount of time with adult caregivers and healthcare professionals. Rejection and isolation from peers may contribute to even greater stress [120]. Indeed, studies have found that when the chronically ill adolescent has frequent peer contacts during their illness, psychosocial outcomes are improved [121]. And when healthy counterparts have increased interactions with the adolescent who is chronically ill, prejudicial attitudes held by the healthy peers decrease [121].

Adolescence is also a period marked by tremendous biological changes. It has been documented that adolescents who are chronically ill express more anxiety about their height and weight [120]. Research has also indicated that adolescents with chronic pain view themselves as less developmentally advanced than their peers, a finding that was influenced by level of peer interaction and pain severity [117].

Early Adulthood

Early adulthood years emphasize finding a place in a vocational niche, establishing intimacy with others, and selecting goals for life. Intimacy with others entails interactions with others, which in turn are affected by one's own perceptions of oneself as competent and valuable [110]. RA may interrupt this process of achieving intimacy, forcing patients to isolate themselves. Patients in early adulthood who have achieved relationships prior to the diagnosis of the illness struggle with maintaining levels of intimacy with spouses and children. Some will wrestle with whether they should have children or additional children [110]. For those who have to give up jobs or careers, they may feel unproductive and unsuccessful [122].

Middle Age

One of the major developmental tasks, according to Erikson, during the middle-age years is generativity versus stagnation. Tasks of generativity involve productivity and giving back to society [123]. However, patients with RA who are navigating this developmental stage may feel unanchored, grieve over missed opportunities, and feel anxious about their lack of ability to contribute financially or socially [110,122].

Older Adulthood

In older age, the major developmental task as defined by Erikson is integrity versus despair. This involves a review of life accomplishments and acceptance of one's life [123]. Major issues include dealing with loss and developing a point of view regarding death. RA can be especially debilitating, both physically and psychologically, in this stage of life.

CONCLUSION

RA is a potentially debilitating illness that affects work, interpersonal relationships, and overall quality of life. Healthcare professionals must be familiar with the common symptoms and proper diagnostic modalities in order to treat individuals with this disease [73]. They must also be familiar with emerging treatment regimens and extra-articular disease manifestations.

Standard therapies can relieve symptoms in some patients and provide partial improvement in others. However, some patients may have more refractory disease, whereby significant disease persists despite treatment. Knowledge of emerging therapies can be particularly helpful to these patients' outcomes. Effectively treating RA, whether by standard therapy or emerging treatments, can be beneficial to the healthcare system and patients.

RESOURCES

Arthritis Foundation

The Arthritis Foundation is the largest private, not-for-profit contributor to
arthritis research in the world, funding more than $450 million in research grants since
1948. The foundation helps people take control of arthritis by providing public health
education; pursuing public policy and legislation; and conducting evidence-based programs to
improve the quality of life for those living with arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation offers
information and tools to help people live a better life with arthritis.

The American College of Rheumatology is an organization of and for physicians, health
professionals, and scientists that advances rheumatology through programs of education,
research, advocacy, and practice support that fosters excellence in the care of people with
arthritis and rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease.

The mission of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin
Diseases is to support research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and
musculoskeletal and skin diseases; the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry
out this research; and the dissemination of information on research progress in these
diseases.

The vision is for a world where people with arthritis live the fullest life possible,
with the ability to pursue valued life activities with minimal pain. The mission of the CDC
is to improve the quality of life of people affected by arthritis by short-term goals
(improve and increase self-management attitudes and behaviors, increase early diagnosis and
appropriate pain management) and long-term goals (decrease pain and disability among
persons, improve physical, psychosocial, and work function).

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Evidence-Based Practice Recommendations Citations

1. National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions. Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Adults. London: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence; 2009. Summary retrieved from National Guideline Clearinghouse at http://guidelines.gov/content.aspx?id=14310. Last accessed April 24, 2014.

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